DIETARY TIPS FOR GASTRITIS

GASTRITIS DIET: What to eat for gastritis?

Proper nutrition can prevent the occurrence of gastritis or relieve unpleasant symptoms.

When preparing the menus for people with gastritis you should take into account the following dietary tips:

Picture of foods recommended for gastritis diet.

Food NOT recommended for gastritis diet

You should avoid:

- Heavy meals: Meals with too condiments (chili, pickles, sour foods) or meals including too much animal fat are difficult to digest and are usually responsible for causing gastritis especially in people with weak stomachs.

- Alcohol, coffee and tobacco. They should be completely eliminated from this diet. Some drinks rich in caffeine such as coffee, tea or colas can irritate the stomach.

In case of drinking tea, avoid very high concentrated teas and it is preferable to use green tea than other types of tea. Even this type of tea should be taken occasionally.

- Late meals at night or eating too late: Heavy meals at night are very indigestible. It is better to eat something light and always eat a couple of hours before going to bed. Avoid copious meals at nigh. Big night dinners are responsible for many cases of gastritis.

- Sweets, cakes or pastry: They are to indigest and can be counterproductive for the stomach

Habits NOT recommended for gastritis diet

- Avoid strong physical or mental exercise before eating: You should undertake any strong physical or mental effort for at least a couple of hours before eating, special at night. Some walking or swimming before dinner is recommended to get rid of stress and whet your appetite.

- Don't drink too much water during mealsor just after meals : Although drinking a lot of water is recommended for any kind of diet, however you shouldn't drink too much during meals or just after eating . Too much water dilutes gastric juices and makes digestion more difficult. It is better to drink between meals.

- Don't mix too much different foods: This can cause food incompatibility which produces adverse stomach reactions as heartburn, flatulence or bloating.

Food recommended for gastritis diet

The main recommended food for gastritis diet is soft mucilagous food. This type of food does not erode the intestinal wall. Mucilages create a film that protects the stomach mucosa. Among the most recommended foods we have:

- Quince, baked apple and fruit compotes: Because of its high pectin content helps to prevent heartburn.

- Acerola or Barbados cherry: Tannins form a protective membrane, helping to protect the gastrointestinal mucosa. For this reason, acerola juice is used for its protective properties to help treat gastritis .

- White rice : It provides energy and has a gelatinous texture that protects the stomach.

- Bananas: They provide energy and minerals and have a soft texture perfect for delicate stomachs. Studies carried out in India, a country where bananas are much consumed in form of flour to make homemade bread (chapatis), have demonstrated the power of this fruit in the prevention of gastric ulcers and its capacity to protect the intestinal mucosa. It has been proved their protective power to combat gastritis or to prevent the ulcers. They can even be used to cicatrize them.

To make this possible, it is believed that cooking varieties of bananas should be used and these should be immature or very green. Many of these bananas can be bought nowadays in many establishments dried or raw, so they can be cooked or fried or whatever you prefer.

Carrots are one of the best vegetables for the stomach

- Cabbage: Cabbage is a natural antacid because for its content in glutamine.

- Pumpkin and zucchini: These foods are moisturizing, refreshing, rich in fiber and vitamins that help to treat gastritis.

- Olive Oil: Contains Vitamin E and Omega 3. These components are anti-inflammatory and protects the stomach. Add oil in dishes in moderation.

-Carrots: They are rich in carotenoids and are one of the main foods to protect our stomach. Carrots help to regenerate the gastric mucosa. Take in food and smoothies.

- Rice Drink: It is digestive, this drink is not heavy on the stomach. It is suitable for people with gastritis and heartburn.

- Papaya: The fruit is rich in beta-carotene and has digestive properties because of its content in papain. Papain is an enzyme with properties similar to pepsin (an enzyme of the gastric juices) , or trypsin (an enzyme of pancreatic juice). These type of enzymes, which are known as proteolytic enzymes , help to break up proteins and promote digestion , preventing gastritis and the formation of gases.

Habits recommended for gastritis diet

- Take frequent soft meals : Taking 5 or 6 daily non heavy meals is the best way to prevent or relieve gastritis.

- Avoid hasty or anxious meals: Slow and careful chewing is necessary to accomplish a good digestion. Avoid eating in a hurry. Don't watch television o read the newspaper while eating. Don't discuss and try to avoid stress.

A typical menu for gastritis diet

What to eat during the first hours of severe gastritis?

In very severe case of gastritis it may be desirable not to eat anything during the first 12 hours. However, you should drink plenty of water, carrot smoothies and fruit juices. This will clear the body and relax the inflamed mucosa.

The following preparation can be useful during the initial period of gastritis: In a litter of boiled water pour 1 teaspoon of salt and 8 teaspoons of sugar. Drink half a cup every 15 minutes. You should drink a liter every 2 hours. (In case of hypertension consult your doctor)

Once the initial irritation is over, you can follow the following diet:

- Breakfast:

Cut a banana into slices and an apple into chunks. Put them into a bowl. Add two slices of white bread and a tablespoon of honey. Take a Chamomile tea.

- Brunch

Pear juice.

- Lunch:

A bowl of white rice with some boiled mushrooms. A baked quince, topped with two tablespoons of honey. Two slices of white bread. Chamomile tea.

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